Do I need to pay any fees to become an approved foster carer?

The important distinction is between a fee for the fostering approval process and personal expenses you may incur while preparing to foster. The approval process is not normally something prospective foster carers pay for directly, but individual costs can depend on your circumstances and the fostering service’s arrangements.

Before proceeding, ask the fostering service for a clear explanation of what it will arrange and what, if anything, you may need to pay yourself. This should cover:

• which checks and assessments are arranged and funded by the service;
• whether any medical appointment or medical report charges could apply;
• how checks relating to time spent living overseas are handled, if relevant;
• whether travel to meetings, training or appointments is reimbursed;
• what preparation is expected in your home before approval; and
• whether you will need to purchase or adapt anything before a child is placed with you.

Some expenses are not approval fees but may still affect your household budget. For example, you may need to consider travel, postage or document costs, arranging time away from work, or childcare while attending appointments or training. You may also choose to make changes to your home, although the service should explain which changes are necessary for fostering and which are optional.

Do not assume that every possible cost is dealt with in the same way by every fostering service. Ask for the information in writing and check whether any payment would be made by you initially and reimbursed later, or whether the service would arrange it directly. If a cost is unclear, ask before committing to an appointment, purchase or application-related service.

There is usually no charge simply for making an initial enquiry. You should be able to discuss your circumstances, receive information about eligibility and understand the assessment route before deciding whether to continue. A request for payment at an early stage should be explained fully, including what the payment covers and whether it is refundable.

It is also useful to separate the costs of becoming approved from the financial arrangements after approval. Fostering allowances and any other payments made once a child is placed are intended to support the child’s care and should not be treated as a refund of application expenses. Their purpose, amount and payment arrangements should be explained as part of the fostering service’s information for applicants.

When comparing services, consider the full package rather than asking only whether there is an application fee. A useful checklist is:

• Are all expected applicant costs explained before assessment?
• Who pays for appointments, checks and required preparation?
• Are travel and other agreed expenses reimbursed?
• What household preparation is expected before approval?
• Who can answer questions about costs throughout the assessment?

If you are considering fostering in Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry or Gloucestershire, a local fostering team can explain its own arrangements. Become A Foster Family has offices in Droitwich and Stoke, with staff across the region to provide local guidance about the costs and practical requirements of the approval process.